Vital signs and cognitive function are not affected by 23-sodium and 17-oxygen magnetic resonance imaging of the human brain at 9.4 Telsa.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of 23-sodium ((23)Na) and 17-oxygen ((17)O) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 9.4 (T) on vital signs and cognitive function of the human brain. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Vital sign and cognitive function measurements from healthy volunteers (N = 14) positioned outside and at isocenter of a 9.4 T scanner before and after (23)Na and (17)O MRI were compared for changes due to exposure to the static magnetic field and to the gradient switching and radiofrequency radiation during MRI. RESULTS: Exposure to the 9.4 T static magnetic field and (23)Na and (17)O MRI at 105.92 MHz and 54.25 MHz, respectively, did not have a statistically significant (P > 0.05) effect on the vital signs or cognitive function of healthy normal adults. CONCLUSION: (23)Na and (17)O MRI of the human brain at 9.4 T does not have any readily demonstrated health risks reflected in vital signs or change in cognitive performance.